Finding Spring

Maurice the bear cub experiences his first winter but isn't ready to hibernate with his mother. Despite her instructions to rest, he ventures out into the snowy forest in search of spring. His quest leads him through a winter landscape where he encounters various natural elements and woodland creatures. Maurice collects items he believes are connected to spring as he explores. The story follows Maurice's determination to find spring while learning about seasonal changes and the cycle of nature. His mother's patient guidance helps him understand the timing of natural rhythms. This picture book explores themes of curiosity, patience, and the wonder of seasonal transformations through a young bear's perspective. The cut-paper collage illustrations create depth in the winter scenes while supporting the narrative's gentle message about waiting.

Readers appreciate the collage-style artwork and use of color to show seasonal changes. Parents note the book helps teach young children about patience and the natural cycle of seasons. What readers liked: - Paper-cut illustrations with rich textures - Simple, relatable story for ages 2-5 - Educational value about seasons and animal behavior - Short length works well for bedtime reading What readers disliked: - Some found the plot too basic - A few mentioned their children lost interest - Text occasionally feels sparse Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (568 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (39 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4/5 (6 ratings) Notable reader comments: "The artwork alone makes this worth reading" - Goodreads reviewer "My 3-year-old asks for this nightly" - Amazon reviewer "Beautiful book but story could be stronger" - Barnes & Noble reviewer Most reviews emphasize the visual appeal over the narrative elements.

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner A young girl discovers the hidden world of animals who live beneath winter snow.

And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano A child plants seeds and waits through winter's brown landscape until spring brings green life.

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead A bear prepares for winter hibernation while his forest friends ready themselves for the cold season.

Sleep Tight Farm by Eugenie Doyle A family works to prepare their farm for winter's arrival through the changing seasons.

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes The transformation from winter to spring unfolds through natural changes in the environment.

🌱 Author Carin Berger created the book's charming collages using recycled paper, including old ticket stubs, catalog pages, and letters. 🍂 The book subtly teaches young readers about seasonal changes and animal hibernation while telling an engaging story about curiosity and discovery. 🐻 While most bear cubs are born during winter hibernation, Maurice (the main character) is awake and searching for spring—making him quite unusual for a bear. ❄️ The story's urban setting, inspired by New York City in winter, offers a unique perspective on nature and seasonal changes within a city environment. 📚 The book earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was named to the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show in 2015.